Page 864 - Entertainment Culture

Aretha Franklin's funeral ceremony taking place in Detroit

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin's mortal remains have arrived for her funeral service at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple. Although, the funeral is not open to the public, the program will be broadcast on TV and streamed live online, reported CNN. Franklin will be buried in 24-karat gold plated Promethean casket made of solid bronze. The interior is finished with champagne velvet. Franklin's title, 'Queen of Soul,' and her name 'Aretha Franklin' are embroidered in the casket with gold metallic thread. The private funeral is expected to last at least six hours. Some of the biggest names in music, including countless gospel stars, are scheduled to perform during the ceremony. Stevie Wonder, Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson are also performing. Famous associates, such as Clive Davis and Smokey Robinson, will share personal reflections. Former US President Bill Clinton is expected to speak the ceremony. The iconic singer, who died this on August 16 due to pancreatic cancer at 76, received ...

Venkaiah Naidu presents lifetime achievement awards to art, music, theatre icons

Three veteran luminaries in the Indian arts and culture space -- master artist Satish Gujral, iconic musician T. N. Krishnan and theatre doyen Ratan Thiyam -- were on Friday conferred lifetime achievement awards by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu.

Janet Jackson honoured, Aretha Franklin remembered at BMI Awards

The 2018 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards was held at Atlanta's Woodruff Arts Center's Symphony Hall. Janet Jackson was honoured with the BMI Icon Award while the event also featured a surprise appearance by Missy Elliott who paid her respect to Janet.Missy Elliott gave a speech in honour of Jackson while also quoting the singer's lyrics during the speech, reported Variety.Metro Boomin walked away with two awards, including 'Producer of Year' for the third time in a row and 'Songwriter of the Year' for his songs like 'Bad and Boujee', 'Bank Account' and 'Mask Off'.'Song of the Year' award went to The Weeknd's 'I Feel It Coming', which was written by Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo.Universal Music Publishing Group was awarded 'Publisher of the Year' for the fourth consecutive time. UMPG had 15 of the most performed songs of the year.The event also paid tribute to late Aretha Franklin, who was the part of the BMI family for 50 years as told by the performance rights ...

Ishaan Khatter shares throwback picture with Shahid

We all have fond memories from our childhood and who doesn't like looking at old pictures with siblings?Bollywood actor Ishaan Khatter recently got nostalgic as he shared a cute throwback picture on his Instagram story with his elder brother and actor Shahid Kapoor. The duo looks adorable in the picture.The two can be seen laughing and posing cutely with their pet dog.Shahid and Ishaan are amongst the cutest brothers in the industry. They always talk fondly of each other and never stop motivating each other and appreciating one another's performances.On the work front, Shahid will next be seen opposite Shraddha Kapoor in his upcoming film titled 'Batti Gul Meter Chalu', which is directed by Shree Narayan Singh and is slated to release on September 21.The 'Rangoon' actor has also started preparing for his next project, which is the Hindi remake of a Telugu hit film 'Arjun Reddy'. The movie is set to release on June 21 next year.Ishaan was last seen in his Bollywood debut 'Dhadak' ...

There is a better universe for small films now: Kiran Rao

Kiran Rao says if her 2011 debut directorial venture "Dhobi Ghat" would have released today it could have done better business primarily due to the changing taste and preferences of the audience. Kiran received critical acclaim for "Dhobi Ghat", which had her superstar husband Aamir Khan in the lead, besides Prateik Babbar and Monica Dogra. "The world has changed in the last five to seven years hugely. My film released in the beginning of January in 2011 and it was beginning of multiplexes. Today, opportunities are endless and people are accustomed to watching different kind of cinema thanks to the internet and OTT platform. "There is a better universe for small films. I think 'Dhobi Ghat' would have certainly got different reception if it would have been released seven years later," Kiran told PTI. As a director, Kiran thinks, with the emergence of new avenues for fimmmakers to show their work, things have changed for the positive. "Today one can make a feature film, documentary, ...

SC quashes FIR against Malayalam actress Priya Varrier

The Supreme Court on Friday quashed an FIR lodged in Hyderabad against Malayalam actress Priya Prakash Varrier, who shot to fame following her 'wink song' 'Manikya Malaraya Poovi...' from the film 'Oru Addar Love.'

Manisha Purohit to play Namish's on-screen aunt

Actress Manisha Purohit will play Prabha in the show "Main Maayke Chali Jaaungi Tum Dekhte Rahiyo".

Eminem unveils new album

Rapper Eminem has dropped the follow-up to 2017s "Revival".

Ariana Grande to perform her studio special for BBC

Ariana Grande is all set to return to BBC, this time, with her latest album 'Sweetener' in a one-hour special.The American singer last appeared on BBC in June 2017, as part of her One Love Manchester concert, which was organised as a tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack that took place at her Manchester Arena concert.Grande has a massive fan following in the U.K, with 'Sweetener' currently topping the British album chart.The show, that is scheduled air on BBC One this fall, will feature the 'No Tears Left To Cry' singer performing songs from her latest album, in addition to her other big hits, and will be backed by an all-female orchestra.

Women are judged more often than men: Swara Bhaskar

Actress Swara Bhaskar, known for raising her voice on several social issues -- especially those related to women's safety and equality -- says women have to face more judgment than men.

Manoj Bajpayee's unhealthy 'risk' for 'Gali Guleiyan'

Actor Manoj Bajpayee lost weight drastically to look like a sick man in the forthcoming film "Gali Guleiyan". He says that what he did was not healthy, but it's one of the risks that one takes for a job that he or she is obsessed with.

Charlie Hunnam was psychologically challenged with 'Papillon'

Actor Charlie Hunnam was psychologically challenged while shooting for survival drama "Papillon", says director Michael Noer.

Shaleen Bhanot's dance school project for Jabalpur

Actor Shaleen Bhanot is working on a project to open a dance school in his hometown Jabalpur, a city in Madhya Pradesh.

Interior designing meets art in upcoming exhibition

An upcoming solo exhibition of unique art furniture and paintings will serve to remind art lovers of the sublime aspects associated with little things in life that despite making a regular appearance in our day-to-day life seldom catches our attention.

Writers true rockstars of cinema: Sonam Kapoor

As someone who grew up with a love for the written word, actor Sonam Kapoor believes good literature is the backbone of films and writers should be given their proper due. Early in her career, Sonam worked in "Aisha", a story inspired by Jane Austen's famous novel "Emma" and the actor, who has been named the brand ambassador for Jio MAMI festival's 'Word to Screen' initiative, says she is always open to good book adaptations. Sonam said the 'Word to Screen' initiative can be a great platform for those looking for good content. "Hopefully, we can make content the king. Writers are the rockstars. Technicians in general are not given their due credit because when you are behind the scenes, you are less in the public eye. Writers are the backbone of any film and they should be given more due," she told PTI. Sonam and her sister, producer Rhea Kapoor, have bought the rights to two books - "Battle for Bittora" and "Govinda". "Both are amazing books. 'Govinda' is a fictionised version where .

'Manto' to be screened at BFI London Film Festival

Nawazuddin Siddiqui's "Manto", which is helmed by actress-filmmaker Nandita Das, will be screened at the 62nd BFI London Film Festival.

'Gold' becomes first Bollywood film to release in Saudi Arabia

Akshay Kumar starrer "Gold" is the first Hindi film to release in Saudi Arabia, the National Award-winning actor says.

Sonu Sood walks out of 'Manikarnika...'

Actor Sonu Sood has decided to leave Kangana Ranaut-starrer "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" due to last minute changes.

Bengal remembers filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh on birth anniversary

National award winning Director Rituparno Ghosh, who holds a special place in the hearts of the West Bengal public, was paid soulful tributes by eminent personalities on his 55th birth anniversary on Friday.

Pakistan Minister apologizes to actors

A Pakistani Minister in Punjab province has apologized to two women actors after coming under widespread attack for publicly using indecent language against them, the media reported on Friday.